GJUL vs. AJAN

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

GJUL (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - July) and AJAN (Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 2 Yr To January 2026) are both Options Trading funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, GJUL returned 15.31% vs 6.13% for AJAN. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. GJUL charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.79%/yr for AJAN.

Performance

GJUL vs. AJAN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - July (GJUL) and Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 2 Yr To January 2026 (AJAN). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GJUL achieves a 4.75% return, which is significantly higher than AJAN's 2.03% return.

GJUL

• 1D: 0.05%
• 1M: 1.30%
• YTD: 4.75%
• 6M: 5.49%
• 1Y: 15.31%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

AJAN

• 1D: 0.09%
• 1M: 0.58%
• YTD: 2.03%
• 6M: 2.43%
• 1Y: 6.13%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

GJUL vs. AJAN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
GJUL FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - July	4.75%	12.72%	14.65%
AJAN Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 2 Yr To January 2026	2.03%	6.12%	7.78%

Correlation

The correlation between GJUL and AJAN is 0.66, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.66
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2024	0.75

The correlation between GJUL and AJAN has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.66 to 0.75 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

GJUL vs. AJAN — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

GJUL

GJUL Risk / Return Rank: 87
GJUL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
GJUL Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
GJUL Omega Ratio Rank: 91
GJUL Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
GJUL Martin Ratio Rank: 91

AJAN

AJAN Risk / Return Rank: 78
AJAN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
AJAN Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
AJAN Omega Ratio Rank: 91
AJAN Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
AJAN Martin Ratio Rank: 74

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

GJUL vs. AJAN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - July (GJUL) and Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 2 Yr To January 2026 (AJAN). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	GJUL	AJAN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.75	2.61	+0.14
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.09	4.08	+0.01
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.58	1.58	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.04	2.74	+1.30
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	21.73	13.81	+7.92
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GJUL vs. AJAN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GJUL Sharpe Ratio is 2.75, which is comparable to the AJAN Sharpe Ratio of 2.61. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GJUL and AJAN, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	GJUL	AJAN	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.75	2.61	+0.14
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.58	1.74	-0.16

Drawdowns

GJUL vs. AJAN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GJUL drawdown since its inception was -10.68%, which is greater than AJAN's maximum drawdown of -4.11%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GJUL and AJAN.

Drawdown Indicators

	GJUL	AJAN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.68%	-4.11%	-6.57%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.81%	-2.24%	-1.57%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.09%	+0.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.89%	-0.29%	-0.60%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.71%	0.44%	+0.27%

Volatility

GJUL vs. AJAN - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - July (GJUL) is 0.44%, while Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 2 Yr To January 2026 (AJAN) has a volatility of 0.65%. This indicates that GJUL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than AJAN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GJUL	AJAN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.44%	0.65%	-0.21%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.07%	2.05%	+2.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.60%	2.36%	+3.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.95%	3.80%	+4.15%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.95%	3.80%	+4.15%

GJUL vs. AJAN - Expense Ratio Comparison

GJUL has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than AJAN's 0.79% expense ratio.

Dividends

GJUL vs. AJAN - Dividend Comparison

Neither GJUL nor AJAN has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GJUL and AJAN in my portfolio?

GJUL and AJAN have a correlation of 0.66, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GJUL or AJAN?

AJAN has higher volatility (0.65%) compared to GJUL (0.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GJUL dropped -10.68% vs AJAN's -4.11%.

Which ETF is better, GJUL or AJAN?

On 1-year performance, GJUL leads with 15.31% vs 6.13% for AJAN. On fees, AJAN is cheaper at 0.79% per year. On volatility, GJUL has been the lower-risk option at 0.44%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GJUL or AJAN?

Over the 1-year period, GJUL has performed better with a 15.31% return vs 6.13%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GJUL or AJAN?

AJAN is cheaper with a 0.79% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for GJUL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, GJUL or AJAN?

GJUL and AJAN have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between GJUL and AJAN?

They also come from different issuers: FT Vest and Innovator. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for GJUL and 0.79% for AJAN.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GJUL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.75 vs 2.61), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.